What is the first step in filing letters and reports into paper medical records?

The correct answer is the step of inspecting the letters and reports before filing them into paper medical records. Inspecting involve reviewing the documents for completeness, accuracy, and any necessary signatures or required attachments. This critical step ensures that everything is in order and that no important information is missed prior to filing, which helps maintain the integrity of the medical record.

Following inspection, documents would typically be sorted and indexed to ensure they can be easily retrieved in the future. However, these actions are secondary to the initial inspection. Proper inspection also prevents errors that could arise from filing incomplete or incorrect documents, which could lead to serious implications in a medical setting. Thus, this initial step is fundamental for effective document management in a healthcare environment.